What flooring is suitable for underfloor heating?

What flooring is suitable for underfloor heating?

Underfloor heating (water-based) can confidently be used in all rooms. It is often chosen for kitchens or bathrooms due to the desire to warm ceramic tiles installed there, but it is no problem in living rooms or bedrooms either – many of us prefer not to have visible radiators on the walls. So, what flooring works best with underfloor heating in these interiors?

The material used to finish the floor should conduct heat well and be resistant to temperature changes. Ceramic tiles and natural stones, because of these properties, are the best choices for underfloor heating, but they are not the only option – this is worth remembering.

Wood-look floors made using modern technologies are also an excellent solution. An important argument for choosing laminate panels is their purchase price, flexibility of installation, and quick assembly or disassembly, which is significant since these always affect our costs (for example, ceramic installation costs are much higher and the work takes longer). Additionally, panels are better suited for bedrooms, children's rooms, or living rooms. It is worth remembering that with water-based underfloor heating, carpets should not be used.

Which panels are worth choosing for underfloor heating?

When opting for panels to be installed over underfloor heating, pay special attention to whether they have the appropriate certification. On the market, there are panels designed for underfloor heating that handle temperature changes well, and others that cannot be used in this system. Also, remember that before installing laminate panels, the floor must be dry and, importantly, “warmed up” – for details, consult, for example, the warranty card and installation/preparation guidelines.

Consider parameters like the wear class and thickness of the panels – the latter is important when combining laminate panels with ceramics or other materials. Choosing laminate panels with a high wear class (class 32 or 33) guarantees high quality and resistance to many factors. Thicknesses of 8 or 10 mm provide good heat conduction – here, the underlay also plays a very important role (more on that in another article).

All Weninger laminate panels we offer are adapted for water-based underfloor heating. We especially recommend panels from the Ambiance and Expert collections as well as Natural Parquet veneer panels. Naturally veneered floors from the Natural Parquet collection are an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy a pleasantly warm floor both in winter when heating is on and in summer when additional heating is unnecessary.